early 15c., "write before, prefix," from Latin proscribere "publish in writing" (literally "write in front of"), including senses of "publish as having forfeited one's property, condemn, outlaw before the world," from pro "before" (see pro-) + scribere "to write" (from PIE root *skribh- "to cut"). Meaning "prohibit as wrong or dangerous" first recorded 1620s.
proration
prorogue
prosaic
proscenium
prosciutto
proscribe
proscription
proscriptive
prose
prosecute
prosecution